Will Smith - Will Smith's Annie Musical To Shoot In Spring

It was claimed last month (Jul12) that Aline Brosh MCKenna was putting the finishing touches to the screenplay for the project, which is being billed as a hip-hop remake of the beloved family tale.

Smith and Jay Z are producing the film, which will star the actor's daughter Willow as the singing orphan - and Thompson reveals they are gearing up for an early 2013 start for the shoot.

She tells Bbc's Newsbeat, "I have been writing the script for nearly three years, it's exciting. In the autumn, we get to go to L.A. to work with Willow and work on more of the script.

"Jay Z has already started working on the music. We will start shooting in the spring in New York."

Speaking about her leading lady, Thompson adds, "I really like Willow. She is getting so tall. I mean both Willow and (brother) Jayden are remarkable."